Andy Staples of On3 is projecting that the Big 12 Conference will send two teams to the College Football Playoff this season, and he has selected which Big 12 schools he thinks will fill those spots. In his most recent bracket simulation, he slotted Texas Tech Red Raiders as the No. 8 seed and BYU Cougars as No. 9.
Staples’ forecast suggests he believes the Big 12 is not only capable of producing playoff‑caliber teams but also of putting two of them into the field. That marks a significant shift: a conference often viewed as on the fringe of the top tier is now being forecast to land multiple at‑large bids in the most prominent postseason format in college football.
Looking at the specific selections, Texas Tech being chosen at No. 8 implies that Staples expects the Red Raiders to win enough big games, avoid the bad losses, and deliver a body of work worthy of a spot in the playoff field. BYU earning the No. 9 seed means the Cougars must continue to ascend and make a serious push in their undefeated season with a freshman quarterback at the helm. Both picks carry risk, but validate belief in the league’s depth and competitiveness.
The broader implication here is clear for the Big 12. If Staples’ scenario plays out, the league would signal to recruits, media, and rival conferences that it operates on a playoff‑household‑name level. It would bolster the league’s argument that it belongs in the same breath as the SEC, Big Ten, and ACC when those conferences talk about “making the playoff” rather than “might we make it.”
Now, none of this is guaranteed. Projections are projections. Injuries happen, momentum shifts, upsets land. But Staple’s willingness to forecast two Big 12 teams heading to the playoff is a vote of confidence. It puts pressure on those programs. Texas Tech and BYU now carry the weight of expectation from a respected voice.
For fans, coaches, and stakeholders in the Big 12, this is noteworthy. Some of the league’s traditional powers may feel overlooked, but the narrative feels to be shifting. The question now: will the league deliver on the bold forecast? Will the two teams live up to the playoff prediction? Time will tell.
